Conduit connection with strain sensor on a threaded nut

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method for mechanically attached connections of conduits may include a conduit gripping member, a drive member, and a seal member, the drive member causing axial movement of the conduit gripping member to indent into an outer surface of the conduit when the assembly is pulled-up, the drive member causing the seal member to form a zero clearance seal at a location that is axially spaced from the conduit gripping member. The zero clearance seal may comprise a face seal arrangement including a gasket, and the conduit gripping member may be a ferrule, ring or other device that can grip and optionally seal against the conduit outer surface. The assembly may include a sensing function for detecting or sensing a characteristic or condition of an assembly component or the fluid or both. In one embodiment, a body coupling member has a two piece construction of a main body and a conduit socket insert. A flared fitting embodiment is also provided. Sensing functions are also incorporated into fittings other than just zero clearance fittings.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of pending U.S.Ser. No. 13/863,577, filed Apr. 16, 2013 titled “Conduit Connection withNon-Wetted Strain Sensor”, which is a continuation application of U.S.Ser. No. 12/665,875, filed Dec. 21, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,439,404,titled “Conduit Connection with Sensing Function” which is the U.S.national phase entry of PCT/US2008/068147, with an international filingdate of Jun. 25, 2008, expired, which claims the benefit of thefollowing U.S. Provisional patent applications: U.S. provisionalapplication Ser. No. 61/040,178, expired, filed on Mar. 28, 2008,entitled Apparatus and Method of Zero Clearance Connection with SensingFunction, U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/040,175, expired,filed on Mar. 28, 2008, entitled Apparatus and Method of FittingComponent with Sensing Function, U.S. provisional application Ser. No.61/040,177, expired, filed on Mar. 28, 2008, entitled Apparatus andMethod of Fitting with Sensing Function, U.S. provisional applicationSer. No. 61/040,184, expired, filed on Mar. 28, 2008, entitled Apparatusand Method of Face Seal Connection with Sensing Function, U.S.provisional application Ser. No. 61/040,189, expired, filed on Mar. 28,2008, entitled Conduit Connection with Split Body and Optional SensingFunction, and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/937,277, expired,filed on Jun. 26, 2007, entitled Smart Fittings. The entire disclosuresof all of the aforesaid applications are fully incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to mechanically attached connections suchas fittings, joints, couplings, unions and so on that are used in fluidsystems or fluid circuits to contain fluid flow and fluid pressure. Suchmechanically attached connections may be used with but are not limitedto conduit fittings for tube, pipe or any other type of conduit, andthat connect a conduit end to either another conduit end or to anotherportion, element or component of a fluid system. For simplicity andclarity, the term ‘fitting’ as used herein is intended to be allinclusive of other terms, for example coupling, connection, union, jointand so on, that could alternatively be used to refer to a mechanicallyattached connection. Such mechanically attached connections arecharacterized by a fluid tight seal and mechanical strength to hold theconnection together including sufficient grip of the conduit undervibration, stress and pressure. Fluids may include gas, liquid, slurriesand any variation or combination thereof.

Fluid systems and circuits typically use mechanically attachedconnections to interconnect conduit ends to each other and to flowdevices which may control flow, contain flow, regulate flow, measure oneor more characteristics of the fluid or fluid flow, or otherwiseinfluence the fluid within the fluid system. Fluid systems are foundeverywhere, from the simplest residential plumbing system, to the mostcomplex fluid systems for the petrochemical, semiconductor,biopharmaceutical, medical, food, commercial, residential,manufacturing, analytical instrumentation and transportation industriesto name just a few examples. Complex systems may include thousands offittings, either fittings being installed as a new installation or aspart of repair, maintenance or retrofit operations, or fittings thatwere previously installed.

The term ‘mechanically attached connection’ as used herein means anyconnection for or in a fluid system that involves at least oneconnection that is held in place by mechanically applied force, stress,pressure, torque, or the like, such as, for example, a threadedconnection, a clamped connection, a bolted or screwed connection and soon. This is distinguished from a metallurgical or chemical connectionmost commonly practiced as welding, brazing, soldering, adhesive and soforth. A mechanically attached connection may include a combination ofmechanical and metallurgical connections, and often does, and suchconnections are also within the term ‘mechanically attached connections’as they include at least one such connection.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In accordance with one of the inventions presented in this disclosure, azero clearance fitting or assembly for a conduit mechanically attachedconnection is provided. In one embodiment, a fitting for conduitconnection may include a conduit gripping member that optionally indentsinto an outer surface of the conduit, and may optionally seal againstthat outer surface. In another embodiment, the fitting further includesa seal element that forms a zero clearance seal that is axially spacedfrom the conduit gripping indentation. In still a further embodiment, aseal element is disposed between a facing surface of a face seal memberand a face seal surface on another facing surface. In a more specificexemplary embodiment, the seal element comprises a gasket axiallycompressed between two facing surfaces. In another embodiment, theconduit gripping member and seal arrangement, and in some casesadditional parts, may optionally be held together as a separatesubassembly or preassembly.

In accordance with another invention presented in this disclosure, amechanically attached connection for conduits is contemplated thatincludes a zero clearance seal as part of a zero clearance fitting orassembly for conduit connection, along with a sensing function that isintegrated or incorporated into one or more parts of the fitting. In anexemplary embodiment, a sensing function may be included or associatedwith a seal element that is also used to provide a zero clearance sealin the assembly. In a more specific exemplary embodiment, the sensingfunction may be realized in the form of a sensor or device that isembedded, attached, integrated or otherwise incorporated with orassociated with the seal element.

In accordance with another invention presented in this disclosure, afitting is provided that utilizes a split body concept in which the bodycoupling member comprises a main body and a conduit socket insert. Themain body and the insert may optionally include a sensing function orfunctions. Another invention presented herein provides a smart fittingfor a flared conduit fitting.

In accordance with an inventive aspect of the disclosure, a fitting, orone or more components of a fitting, is provided with electrical,electro-magnetic or electronic capability such as for example in theform of a sensor or other device that facilitates utility of thefitting, including one or more of, but not limited to, componentidentification, component compatibility, installation and assembly, andany other type of information that may be useful to a manufacturer,installer or end user. The present disclosure further contemplatesassociated methods of including such capability in a fitting or fittingcomponents as well as methods associated with the use of such fittings.

In accordance with another of the inventions presented in thisdisclosure, a mechanically attached connection or fitting for conduitsand other fluid components is contemplated that includes one or moresensing functions that are integrated with or incorporated into orotherwise associated with one or more components of the fitting, or maybe introduced into an existing fitting assembly or component thereof. Inan exemplary embodiment, a sensing function may be included orassociated with a coupling member in the assembly. In a more specificexemplary embodiment, one or more sensing functions may be realized inthe form of one or more sensors or devices that is embedded, attached,integrated or otherwise incorporated with or associated with a couplingnut or coupling body or both.

In still another embodiment, the sensing function may be introduced intoa fitting such as by further including with the assembly a componentthat includes a sensing function, whether the component comprises asealing or non-sealing function as well as the sensing function. Inanother embodiment, for example, the sensing function may be introducedinto a fitting with a sensor carrier or substrate such as a gasket, ringor washer-like device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a fitting incorporating one or moreinventions disclosed herein, illustrated in longitudinal cross-section,with the parts assembled in a finger-tight condition;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the circle A region in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the circled region of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the circle B region in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged illustration of the fitting of FIG. 1 in acompleted pulled-up condition, illustrated in half-longitudinalcross-section;

FIG. 6 is another embodiment of the assembly illustrated in FIGS. 1 and2, including a sensing function in accordance with another inventiondisclosed herein;

FIG. 7 is an embodiment of a split body fitting with an optional sensingfunction, in half longitudinal cross-section;

FIGS. 7A-7D are additional embodiments of face seal configurations witha sensing function, illustrated in half-longitudinal cross-section;

FIG. 8 is an embodiment of a flared conduit fitting with a sensingfunction in full longitudinal cross-section;

FIG. 8A is an embodiment of a sanitary fitting with a sensing function,illustrated in half-longitudinal cross-section;

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a gasket or sensor carrier embodiments thatmay be used to position a sensing function in a fitting;

FIG. 10 illustrates threaded taper connection in longitudinalcross-section, and with a sensing function;

FIG. 11 illustrates a flareless ferrule type fitting illustrated in afinger tight condition

FIG. 12 is an embodiment of a fitting assembly incorporating one or moreinventions disclosed herein, illustrated in longitudinal cross-sectionand in a finger tight condition prior to pull-up;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a body type coupling member such as maybe used in the assembly of FIG. 12, in longitudinal cross-section;

FIG. 14 is a view in cross-section taken along the line 14-14 in FIG.12;

FIG. 15 is an embodiment of a fitting assembly incorporating one or moreinventions disclosed herein, illustrated in longitudinal cross-sectionand in a finger tight condition prior to pull-up;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a body type coupling member such as maybe used in the assembly of FIG. 15, in longitudinal cross-section.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Although the various embodiments are described herein with specificreference to a tube fitting, and more specifically to a tube fitting forstainless steel tubing, those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat the inventions herein may be used with any metal or non-metalconduit and any metal or non-metal fitting components, including but notlimited to plastics, polymers and so on. The inventions may also be usedwith thinner walled conduits or thicker walled conduits. As used herein,the term ‘zero clearance’ refers to an arrangement by which a fittingthat has been previously attached to a conduit end and connected toanother fluid member, such fitting may be loosened to allow separationof the conduit end from the other fluid member, without requiring axialdisplacement of the conduit end. In a more general concept, a zeroclearance fitting facilitates disassembly of the fitting so that thefitting may be separated without requiring axial displacement of theconduit end that is attached to the fitting. For example, a zeroclearance fitting that includes a zero clearance seal may allowseparating of a first coupling component—for example a nut—from a secondcoupling component—for example a body—to permit the conduit end to bedisconnected from the other fluid member, with a simple radial movementor displacement. Moreover, while the exemplary embodiments illustrate aconnection between a conduit end and a particular type of fluid member(a coupling body), such illustration if for explanation purposes onlyand should not be construed in a limiting sense. The inventions hereinmay be used to connect a conduit end to any fluid member, such as butnot limited to, another conduit end, a coupling component or member, aflow control member such as a valve, regulator, filter and so on. Thezero clearance aspect of the present inventions facilitates installingand removing a fitting in a fluid system by eliminating any need foraxial displacement of the conduit end relative to the other fluid memberit was coupled to, all while maintaining conduit grip and seal when thefitting is in an installed and completed pulled-up condition. Byfinger-tight condition is meant that the various parts have beenassembled onto a conduit end but in a fairly loose or sometimes snugcondition achieved by the rather low manual assembly force or torque. By‘completed pulled-up condition’ is meant that the fitting has beentightened onto a conduit end to complete a connection between theconduit end and another fluid member, with an established conduit gripand seal. Between finger-tight and completed pulled-up condition may beintermediate pull-up and assembly steps as the fitting is beingtightened. Also used herein is the term “make-up” or a fitting that is“made-up” which is similar to “pull-up” in that the terms refer to theprocess of assembling and tightening the fitting onto a conduit end.Reference herein to a ‘subassembly’ or ‘preassembly’ of fitting parts,and derivatives of those terms, refers to two or more parts that mayseparately be assembled or joined and held together by any convenientarrangement or method as an integral or single unit to simplify finalassembly of the fitting by reducing the opportunity for incorrectinstallation of the various parts. The terms fluid system and fluidcircuit are used somewhat interchangeably herein, with a fluid systemgenerally referring to a more complex arrangement for fluid containment,whereas a fluid circuit may be as simple as a conduit connected toanother fluid device by a mechanically attached connection. The presentinventions are applicable to all different kinds of fluid systems andcircuits regardless of the complexity.

The present disclosure also relates to including a sensing function witha mechanically attached connection including but not limited to a zeroclearance fitting, assembly or mechanically attached connection forconduits. As used herein, sensing function, and any embodiment of asensing function in a ‘sensor’, is intended to be construed in itsbroadest context as the capability, for example, but not limited to,sense, detect, measure, indicate, report, feedback or collect, or anycombination thereof, information, condition, status, state or datarelating to the fitting or assembly, one or more of the fitting orassembly components, members or parts, and/or the fluid contained by thefitting or assembly. By sensing fluid contained by the fitting is meantsensing the fluid within the boundaries of the fitting, as distinguishedfrom a sensor or sensing function downstream or upstream of the fittingassembly. The sensing function may be realized by a sensor that iseither wetted or non-wetted or both. A wetted sensor is one having atleast a portion thereof exposed to the fluid contained by the fitting ormechanically attached connection, while a non-wetted sensor is one thatis isolated from contact with the fluid.

While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the inventionsmay be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination inthe exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts and featuresmay be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or invarious combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expresslyexcluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intendedto be within the scope of the present inventions. Still further, whilevarious alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts andfeatures of the inventions—such as alternative materials, structures,configurations, methods, circuits, devices and components, software,hardware, control logic, alternatives as to form, fit and function, andso on—may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to bea complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments,whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art mayreadily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts or featuresinto additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the presentinventions even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein.Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of theinventions may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement ormethod, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature isrequired or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further,exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assistin understanding the present disclosure, however, such values and rangesare not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to becritical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Moreover, whilevarious aspects, features and concepts may be expressly identifiedherein as being inventive or forming part of an invention, suchidentification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may beinventive aspects, concepts and features that are fully described hereinwithout being expressly identified as such or as part of a specificinvention, the inventions instead being set forth in the appendedclaims. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limitedto inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is theorder that the steps are presented to be construed as required ornecessary unless expressly so stated.

With reference to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of one or more of theinventions is presented. An assembly 10 for mechanically attaching orconnecting a conduit end C to another fluid member is illustrated. Theassembly 10 is also referred to herein as a mechanically attachedconnection or fitting, but the term fitting is intended to be broadlyconstrued as any arrangement by which a conduit end may be mechanicallyattached or connected to another fluid component. For reference purposesonly, the conduit C has a central longitudinal axis X. Reference hereinto ‘axial’ movement or displacement and ‘radial’ movement ordisplacement is made with respect to the axis X.

The assembly 10 may include a first coupling member or component 12 anda second coupling member or component 14. The coupling components may beany suitable arrangement by which the assembly 10 is installed withconduit grip and seal on the conduit end C. For the FIG. 1 embodiment,the first coupling component 12 may be realized in the form of a femalethreaded nut, and the second coupling component may be realized in theform of a male threaded body. Typically, a coupling member in the formof a ‘body’ receives the conduit end, typically but not necessarily in aconduit socket. However, in the case of zero clearance fittings astaught herein, the body 14 provides a zero clearance seal surface aswill be described below and does not receive the conduit C end. However,the body 14 may have end configurations such as at 16 that do accept aconduit end. Therefore, for purposes of this disclosure we consider abody to be a coupling member that is joinable to another coupling membersuch as a nut. A coupling member in the form of a ‘nut’ is joined to thebody to tighten or pull-up the fitting to a made condition with properconduit grip and seal, with the nut typically including a drive surfacethat engages the conduit gripping member during pull-up or mayalternatively engage a drive member that engages the gripping member.These components (such as the nut and body for example) are ‘coupling’in the sense that they can be joined together by relative axial movementwith respect to each other, and tightened so as to install the assembly10 onto the conduit end C so that the assembly 10 grips the conduit toprevent the conduit from loosening under any one or more environmentalstresses such as temperature, pressure, strain and vibration to name afew examples. The assembly 10 also provides a seal against loss offluid. The fluid that is carried by the conduit C may be gas, liquid, acombination thereof or any other fluid medium. The assembly 10 may findtypical application in making connections within an overall fluidsystem. It should also be noted that one or both of the coupling membersmay in practice be part of or integral with a fluid component, and notnecessarily a discrete component as illustrated herein. For example, thebody 14 may be integrated or associated with another device orstructure, such as a fluid control device such as a valve or valve body,flow meter, tank, a manifold or any other fluid component to which aconduit is to be attached.

The coupling body 14 may itself be considered a fluid member that isconnected to the conduit end C, or may include an end configuration 16that may be further connected to another part, such as a fluidcomponent, another conduit end and so on. As shown, the end connection16 of FIG. 1 may include a male threaded end 18 of a conventional tubefitting body, but any end connection configuration may be used as neededto connect the conduit end C into the fluid system or to another fluidmember.

Although this embodiment provides for a threaded connection between thefirst and second coupling components 12, 14, threaded connections areonly one of the many available choices. Alternatives include but are notlimited to clamped or bolted connections. The type of connection usedwill be determined by the nature of the force needed to secure theassembly 10 to the conduit end in a fluid tight manner. Generallyspeaking, a fitting such as illustrated in FIG. 1 may be used for aflareless end connection, meaning that the conduit cylindrical shape isnot flared as a processing step prior to connection to another fluidmember (although the conduit may plastically deform during theinstallation process). The conduit end does not require any particularpreparation other than perhaps the usual face and debur process for theend surface C 1 (FIG. 2). In still a further alternative embodiment, themale and female threading may be reversed for the first and secondcoupling components.

The first coupling component 12 and second coupling component 14 mayinclude wrench flats 20, 22 respectively to assist in joining andtightening the assembly 10 together during pull-up of the fitting.Relative rotation between the coupling components 12, 14 may be used totighten and loosen the fitting as appropriate.

The body 14 may include a central bore 24 having a diameter that isabout the same or the same as the diameter of inside cylindrical wall 26of the conduit C. For most connections, although not necessarilyrequired in all cases, the bore 24 and conduit C are aligned andassembled in a coaxial manner along the axis X.

The second coupling component 14 further includes a first end face orfacing surface 28 at an inner end portion 30 thereof. This end face orfacing surface 28 presents a seal surface 32 for purposes which will bemore fully explained herein below. The seal surface 32 in thisembodiment comprises a generally planar face seal surface, however,other seal surface configurations may be alternatively used based on thetype of seal that will interface with the seal surface 32. For example,in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the seal surfaces may include recesses (notshown) that help to align the beads of the seal element 48 duringassembly and tightening. From FIG. 1 it will be appreciated that whenthe first and second coupling components 12, 14 are separated, forexample after the fitting 10 has been installed on a conduit end, asimple radial movement or displacement may be used to undo the assembly10, or in other words to separate the conduit end C from the body 14.This configuration thus achieves a zero clearance connection because thefitting components can be separated without need for axial movement ofthe conduit C relative to the body 14. In various embodiments, thoughnot necessarily required in all cases, the zero clearance seal isaxially separated or spaced from the conduit gripping member,particularly the region where the conduit gripping member indents orotherwise grips the conduit outer surface. Accordingly, the seal that ismade at the facing surface 28 is referred to herein as a zero clearanceseal, and the assembly or fitting 10 is referred to herein as a zeroclearance assembly or fitting. More generally, a zero clearance sealarrangement comprises those parts that together form a zero clearanceseal when the fitting is pulled up. In this first embodiment then, azero clearance seal arrangement may include a face seal insert (40, seebelow), a seal element such as a gasket for example (48, see below) andone of the coupling components, in this example the body 14. But manyalternative embodiments may use different parts and differentconfigurations and shapes to effect a zero clearance seal. In analternative embodiment, the beads may be provided on one or both of theplanar facing surfaces, rather than on the gasket, and the gasket mayhave flat planar surfaces. Additionally, a zero clearance fitting isprovided wherein after disassembly the gripping member remains on theconduit, thus facilitating re-makes of the fitting 10 (a re-make refersto subsequent make-up or pull-up of the fitting after a priorinstallation of the fitting on a conduit end).

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the assembly 10 may further include oneor more parts that may be used to effect conduit grip and seal. Aconduit gripping member 34 may be provided to grip the conduit C againstan outer surface C2 thereof. For higher pressure applications it may bedesirable for the gripping member 34 to indent, cut or bite into theconduit outer surface C so as to provide a strong gripping pressure andresistance to the conduit C backing away under pressure and potentiallycompromising fluid tight seals within the fitting 10. However, in lowerpressure applications the gripping member 34 may be designed toadequately grip the conduit without actually indenting or cutting theconduit surface C2. In addition to providing an appropriate grippingforce on the conduit C, the gripping member 34 may also provide aprimary or secondary fluid tight seal against the conduit externalsurface C2 to protect against loss of fluid from the assembly 10.Therefore, as understood herein, a conduit gripping member is any partor combination of parts that, upon complete pull-up of the fitting,grips the conduit against pressure, vibration and other environmentaleffects, and optionally also may provide a fluid tight seal.

A drive member 36 may be used to assist in applying the needed force tothe conduit gripping member 34 during pull-up of the fitting so as tocause the gripping member 34 to deflect or otherwise deform (from itsunstressed condition such as in FIG. 1) to grip and optionally sealagainst the conduit C. In alternative applications, the drive member 36may not be needed, and an interior surface such as a drive surface 38 ofthe first fitting component 12 may be used (with additional suitablemodifications to the gripping member 34 and seal member 40) to drive thegripping member 34 into gripping engagement with the conduit C.

A face seal member or insert 40 may be used to assist or in cooperationwith the driving member 36 in causing the gripping member 34 to grip andoptionally seal against the conduit C. The face seal member 40 mayoptionally provide another primary or secondary seal area where thegripping member 34 engages with an interior surface 42 of the face sealmember 40. The face seal member 40 is referred to herein as a sealmember because a significant though optional aspect of that component isto provide an end face 44 that presents a second seal surface 46 thatfaces the first end face 28 and first seal surface 32 of the secondcoupling component 14. In this exemplary embodiment the seal surfaces32, 46 are generally flat planar facing surfaces and function as faceseal surfaces, in that the fluid tight seal areas are presented in thegenerally planar surfaces 28, 44. Again, the face seal surfaces 32, 46may be configured as needed to conform to the shape or geometry of anintermediate seal element 48. In many embodiments, the face seal member40 may be realized in the form of a gland or body having an appropriategeometry and configuration to present a seal surface to one side of theseal element 48.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, the seal element 48 may be realized inany form that is suitable to provide a zero clearance seal between theconduit gripping member 34 and the second coupling member 14. Oneexample of many is a seal configuration in which a face seal is providedbetween seal surfaces 50, 52 of the seal element 48 and facing sealsurfaces 32 and 46, so as to form a zero clearance seal when the fitting10 is adequately pulled-up.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 4, the seal element 48 may berealized in the form of a face seal gasket of conventional or specialdesign, or as another alternative as shown, have a generally flat, thinwasher-like body 54 with an annular sealing bead 56, 58 on either sideand facing their respective face seal surfaces 46, 32. Preferably, therelative hardness between each sealing bead 56, 58 and its respectivefacing surface is such as to promote a good seal when the parts areaxially compressed together. Whether the seal surfaces 50, 52 are harderthan or softer than the respective facing surfaces 46, 32 is a matter ofdesign option.

The seal element 48 need not have the sealing beads 56, 58 but insteadmay be flat or may have other features and shapes to promote a good faceseal and zero clearance. As another alternative, the beads may be formedon the facing surfaces 44, 28. Other alternatives include but are notlimited to using a seal element that is all metal, non-metal or acombination thereof. For example, an elastomer or plastic material maybe included with the seal element 48 or with the facing surfaces 28, 44,or both, as needed and as compatible with the system fluid.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, the seal element 48 mayinclude a radially tapered collar portion 60 that forms a socket orrecess 62. This socket 62 may be used to provide a locator position forthe conduit end C1. The socket 62 is defined in part by a tapered andinwardly recessed wall 64 against which the conduit end C1 may abut toindicate to the assembler that the conduit is fully inserted into thefitting 10. The seal element 48 also may include a through passage 66that is circumscribed by an interior cylindrical wall 68. The diameterof the wall 68 as well as the geometry and material of the seal 48 maybe selected so that upon complete pull-up of the fitting, the wall 68forms a bore line or near bore line continuity between the conduitcylindrical wall 26 and the body central bore 24, so as to reduceentrapment areas at the connection. The tapered wall 64 and cylindricalwall 68 converge at an annular edge 70. This edge 70 may be used toprovide a seal area against the conduit end C1 if needed, either as aback-up seal for the bead 56 and the gripping member 34, or as a primaryseal.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 and 5, and withparticular reference to FIG. 3, the conduit gripping member 34 may berealized in the form of a conically shaped body 72 which in somerespects may be comparable to a spring washer. Accordingly, the body 72may include a central opening 74 that is defined in this example by aradially inner cylindrical wall 76, and that allows the conduit C to beslid there through during assembly of the fitting 10. A common exampleof a spring washer geometry is a Belleville spring, although suchgeometry is only exemplary. Belleville springs generally are used toprovide a live-load or bias against a surface in a direction along acentral longitudinal axis of the spring, in terms of FIG. 1 in adirection that is parallel to the axis X. Our concept in one embodimentis to use a spring washer approach to effect conduit grip and optionallya seal by a radial compression against the conduit outer surface C2brought about when the spring is axially loaded. An axial load againstthe conduit gripping member 34 causes the spring to deform to a flattercondition, as compared for example to the spring in an unstressedcondition, which produces an inward radial compression of the springagainst the conduit C. This concept of using a spring washer toeffectively grip and optionally seal against an outer surface of aconduit is fully described in International Patent Application numberPCT/US2006/024776 published as WO 2007/002576 A2 on Jan. 4, 2007 andfully incorporated herein by reference.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the conically shaped body 72 comprises twogenerally and optionally parallel frusto-conical walls 80, 82 extendfrom the radially inner wall 76 to an optional radial extension 84. Atypical Belleville spring does not use the extension 84, and the presentinventions may be used with such conventional spring designs in manycases. The outer frusto-conical wall 80 and the inner cylindrical wall76 converge at a front end or edge 86 of the spring washer 72. Thisfront edge 86 may be but need not be a sharp edge, and preferably may beof such configuration and shape as to indent or embed into the outersurface C2 of the conduit when the fitting 10 is pulled up. Duringpull-up, in addition to the radial compression against the conduit outersurface, there is a slight axial movement of the front edge 86 as thespring begins to flatten. The front edge 86 is also radially directedagainst the conduit surface by engagement with the tapered orfrusto-conical surface 42 of the face seal member 40. These movementscause the front edge 86 to indent or penetrate into the conduit outersurface C2 (see the discussion below relating to FIG. 5). By indentinginto the conduit surface, the conically shaped body 72 will exhibit ahigh gripping strength against any tendency for the conduit C to try toback out of the fitting, especially under pressure. For lower pressureapplications, however, it may not be necessary to have a biting orindenting type effect on the conduit. The conically shaped body 72 mayhave many alternative geometries and configurations to promote the gripand seal functions as needed and as needed for particular overallfitting 10 configurations and designs.

The gripping member 34 initially engages the interior surface 42 of theface seal member 40 down near the conduit surface, as illustrated inFIG. 3 in the finger-tight condition of the fitting. The interiorsurface 42 is frusto-conical so as to present a camming surface for theconically shaped body 72, and also to provide a limit on the deflectionof the conically shaped body 72 during pull-up. The forward or outerfrusto-conical wall 80 and the interior surface 42 may define anincluded suitable angle a, while the rearward or inner spring wall 82and an outer tapered frusto-conical surface 88 of the drive member 36may define an included suitable angle β. In many cases, the angles a and0 may be the same or nearly the same, but in other cases they may bedifferent, depending on the design and operation of the gripping member34. The surfaces 88 and 42 cooperate to control deflection of theconically shaped body 72 in a manner desired to achieve the desired gripand optional seal against the conduit outer surface C2. This control ofthe deflection may be further enhanced with the use of the optionalradial extension 84 that engages a corresponding radial extension 90 onthe drive member 36. As the drive member 36 is axially moved against theconically shaped body 72, axial movement of the forward edge 86 isrestricted by the face seal member 40, and so the conically shaped body72 begins to flatten, which in cross-section appears as the walls 80, 82moving towards a more vertical orientation. This causes in inwardcontraction of the cylindrical wall 76, in other words a decrease in itsdiameter, thus causing the forward edge 86 to indent or bite into theconduit, and for the cylindrical wall 76 in general to swage against theconduit C2. By swage is meant that the conduit surface is radiallycompressed to a smaller diameter, with either plastic or elasticdeformation. In alternative cases, especially for lower pressureapplications, it may be sufficient for the spring wall 76 to becompressed against the conduit to in effect collet with a radial loadagainst the conduit outer surface, even if the compression is not asmuch as would be considered a swaging action. Because the conicallyshaped body 72 does not fully plastically deform and stores potentialenergy as it is flattened, we consider this design to be a live loaded,and further, the design allows for re-make of the fitting 10, in otherwords, a fully tightened fitting may be untightened and then re-madewith the same resulting conduit grip and seal as needed. Note furtherthat as system pressure increases, the pressure force tends to push theconduit back out of the fitting 10 (as viewed in FIG. 1, from right toleft for example). For designs in which the conically shaped body 72convex side faces the high side system pressure, this tendency for theconduit to attempt to shift out of the fitting results in the conicallyshaped body 72 becoming even more compressed, causing the conicallyshaped body 72 to indent further into the conduit and also grip theconduit surface tighter. We call this action an energized conduit gripbecause the gripping strength increases with increasing system pressure.

It should be noted that while the gripping member 34 illustrated hereinis a spring washer type configuration, such is not required, and otherannular ring-like conduit gripping and sealing members may alternativelybe used.

The face seal member 40 may include an optional cylindrical extension 92that extends rearward of the conduit gripping member 34, and shroudsabout the conduit gripping member 34 and a portion of the drive member36. The rearward extension 92 may include a hook 94 or similarlyfunctioning and somewhat flexible member that can snap over a back end96 of the drive member radial extension 90. This arrangement may be usedto couple the drive member 36, the conduit gripping member 34 and theface seal member 40 together as a unified subassembly or preassembly 98(FIG. 1) that may be use to simplify assembly or field use of thefitting 10 so as to reduce chances of improper installation. Techniquesother than a clip together arrangement may be used to hold the partstogether as a subassembly 98. A subassembly may also include additionalparts or fewer parts as needed. For example, the seal element 48 may beincluded in a subassembly. Another alternative, in some cases the drivemember 36 may not be needed, but rather the surface 38 of the nut may beused to drive the conically shaped body 72 against the face seal member40. In such an alternative, the conduit gripping member 34 and face sealmember 40 may be joined as a subassembly or optionally may include theseal element 48 as part of the subassembly. In any case, a subassemblyof selected parts that has been fully tightened onto the conduit endwill remain on the conduit end after disassembly, loosening, uncouplingor separation of the nut 12 from the body 14.

The cylindrical extension 92 may also include an inner end surface 99that optionally engages the nut drive surface 38 with a camming actionthat causes inward radial deflection of the hook or end 94 (see FIG. 5also). This causes the hook or end to be crimped or compressed againstthe drive member 36, for example an optionally tapered outer surface 36a of the drive member. This assures that when a tightened fitting issubsequently loosened or disassembled, the face seal member 40 mayremain assembled with the drive member 36 and gripping member 34 as asubassembly 98 on the conduit end.

The drive member 36 may further include an optional rearward cylindricalextension 100 that engages the nut drive surface 38 with a cammingaction that causes the extension 100 to inwardly deflect or crimpagainst the conduit outer surface C2 (see FIG. 5). This crimping mayoptionally include indenting into the conduit but is not required. Anoptional lubricating material, for example a resin or lubricant 102,such as for example, ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene orUHMW-PE, may be initially placed in the pocket 104 defined by therearward extension 100. After complete pull-up, the lubricating materialis squeezed or displaced into the contact region between the crimpedextension 100 and the conduit surface C2. The lubricating materialserves to reduce the effects of abrasion and fretting of the conduitsurface that may occur as a result of vibrations and bending moments inthe conduit.

With reference to FIG. 5, we illustrate an exemplary configuration ofthe fitting 10 in a fully pulled up and tightened condition. It will benoted that the gripping member 34 is somewhat flattened sufficiently toachieve the desired conduit gripping force by swaging in the region 106the now smaller cylindrical wall 76 onto the conduit. In some cases thismay include forming a shoulder 108 by biting into the conduit surface.This shoulder 108 will press against the front edge 86 of the grippingmember 34 in response to pressure which will help prevent the conduitfrom backing out, and as pressure increases will cause the grippingmember to grip even tighter due to further flattening of the grippingmember 34. The rearward cylindrical extension 92 of the face seal member40 has been crimped over the drive member 36, and the rearwardcylindrical extension 102 has been crimped onto the conduit, with thelubricating material 102 displaced into the crimped region. The sealelement 48 has also been axially compressed between the facing sealsurfaces 32, 46 so that the beads 56, 58 form zero clearance face sealstherewith. The beads 56, 58 are illustrated with an exaggeratedindenting in to the surfaces 32, 46 for ease of understanding. In allthe drawings herein, various gaps, spaces and alignments may be somewhatexaggerated for ease of illustration and clarity.

The indented gripping member 34 thus provides grip and seal along theouter conduit surface (for example in the region generally indicatedwith the numeral 106), the gripping member 34 also provides a sealagainst the face seal member surface 42 as in the region generallyindicated with the numeral 107, and the seal element 48 provides zeroclearance seals 109 with the face seal member 40 and with the body endportion 30. These seals provide a fully sealed connection between theconduit end C and the fluid flow path through the body 14.

In order to further increase the pressure rating of the fitting 10,various parts or surfaces may be treated to be surface hardened ascompared to the core material. One exemplary suitable process is lowtemperature carburization which produces a hardened surface that issubstantially free of carbides in stainless steel alloys, however, otherhardening processes including work hardening and non-low temperaturecarburizing, nitriding and others may be used as needed based on thedesired hardness and corrosion resistance properties needed for aparticular application. For example, for a stainless steel fitting 10,it may be desirable to surface harden the beads 56, 58 or the sealsurfaces 50, 52 (FIG. 4). It may also be desirable in some designs toharden the entire surface of the conduit gripping member 34, oralternatively the inward portion 110 (FIG. 3) that will indent into andcompress against the conduit C. This may be especially useful when theconduit comprises a hard alloy material, such as 2205 or 2507 duplexstainless steel, to name a few of many examples. It may also bedesirable in some applications to harden the outer portion 112 of thegripping member 34 (FIG. 3), because just as the inner diameter of thespring washer 72 tends to decrease as the spring is flattened, the outerdiameter tends to increase. By hardening the outer portion 112 thistendency to increase the diameter of the spring washer 72 will belessened. The fitting may also be designed so that the outer rim 114 ofthe spring washer 72 engages and is radially constrained by the innersurface 116 of the rearward cylindrical extension 92 of the face sealmember 40.

During pull-up, the nut 12 axially advances, relative to the fittingbody 14, and somewhat flattens the conduit gripping member 34 to indentinto the conduit surface, and also effects the radial face seal betweenthe face seal element 48 and the face seal member 40 and the body 14.The body 14 may be, for example, a standard SAE face seal design thatwould normally accommodate, for example, an o-ring face seal. The faceseal member 40 has an opposite surface 42 adjacent to the spring 34,having an angle a with the free and non-flexed conduit gripping spring(in a finger-tight condition such as FIG. 1), and participates with theflattening of the conduit gripping member 34 during pull-up. Oppositethe conduit gripping member 34 is the drive member 36 such as a gland,likewise having an appropriate surface 88 (FIG. 3) adjacent to theconduit gripping member 34 with an angle β, which also participates withthe flattening of the spring during pull-up while the pull-up alsoeffects the face seal.

The face seal member 40 has the optional rearward extending cylinder 92that shrouds about the conduit gripping member 34 and much of the drivemember 36. The end of the rearward extending cylinder 92 optionally hasa radially inward hook that snaps over a radial shoulder 90 on the drivemember 36. When snapped together, the drive member 36, gripping member34, and face seal member 40 form a sturdy cartridge sub-assembly 98 thatcan be handled, stored, and inventoried as a single unit. As such,within this cartridge 98 prior to pull-up, the gripping member 34 is inits free and un-flexed state. When used, the cartridge 98 may be placedin the nut 12 which is then assembled to the body 14. The conduit end isinserted into the end of the nut 12, through the cartridge sub-assembly98, and up against the zero clearance face seal element 48. The nut isadvanced to create (a) a sealing grip on the conduit, by virtue offlattening the gripping member 34, and (b) a zero clearance face seal onthe body 14. In the course of pull-up, the camming drive surface 38 ofthe nut crimps the end 94 of the rearward extending cylinder radiallyand more firmly onto the drive member 36, particularly onto an includedsurface 36 a on the drive gland. The drive member 36 may have theoptional smaller rearward extending cylinder 100 that shrouds about theconduit upon assembly. Within the smaller rearward extending cylindermay be a deposit of resin or other suitable lubricant material 102applied along the circumference of the inside diameter of the smallerrearward extending cylinder. Upon pull-up, the camming drive surface ofthe nut likewise crimps the end of this smaller rearward extendingcylinder radially and onto the surface of the conduit. The lube material102 is displaced onto the conduit surface and into the contact zonebetween conduit and the crimped end of the smaller rearward extendingcylinder. This lubed crimping action creates a resistance to potentiallydamaging effects of fluid system vibration. Should the fitting becomedisassembled, for maintenance of the fluid system or for other purposes,the cartridge sub-assembly 98 stays fixed on the end of the conduit. Thenut, captured on the conduit end by the cartridge sub-assembly, is freeto slide back on the conduit. This fitting is said to have azero-clearance design because the body can then be lifted radially awayfrom the conduit end without having to first pull the conduit endaxially out of the body. When the fitting is re-assembled (after fluidsystem maintenance, for example) the nut is slid back over the conduitgripping cartridge sub-assembly 98 and pulled-up on the body. Fluidseals are re-established on the conduit surface and at the body faceseal. This fitting design has the further advantage of tighten-ability.Should the fitting develop a leak (due to any of a number of reasonsincluding insufficient pull-up) the nut can be tightened further ontothe body such that the sealing members engage further and shut-off theleak.

As noted, the conduit gripping member 34 may have a basically conicalshape, also called a Belleville or Belleville-like spring, which has acentral hole 76 or inner diameter through which a conduit can pass.Pressing the spring axially so as to flatten it causes that central holeto decrease in diameter such that its edge indents into the surface ofthe conduit and grips the conduit in place. Configured in a conduitfitting, the flattening of a gripping spring is accomplished bypulling-up or advancing the nut relative to body such that surfacesadjacent to the gripping spring would impart a toroidal flexure orflattening of the gripping spring. These adjacent surfaces start outhaving an angle a and P with the free and non-flexed conduit grippingspring, touching the spring generally at its radially inner most convexsurface, and at its radially outermost concave surface. The grippingspring is configured in the conduit fitting with the convex side towardthe source of system fluid elevated pressure. The gripping springmaintains some amount of convexity toward the source of pressure, evenafter fitting pull-up. As that pressure attempts to push the conduit outfrom a pulled-up fitting, the inner diameter of the conduit grippingspring embeds deeper into the conduit surface. This provision of agreater grip in response to a greater pressure load to push out theconduit is called an energized conduit grip, a grip that increases tomeet an increased conduit gripping requirement due to increasing systemfluid pressure.

Embodiments that use a spring-like washer for the conduit grippingmember 34 may be used to effect various advantages for the fittingdesigner. The spring-like member 72 may be tightened to a fullypulled-up condition as in FIG. 5 with a rather short stroke ordisplacement of the nut 12 relative to the body 14. For example, theembodiment of FIG. 1 may be fully made up with only a half-turn or evena quarter-turn of the nut relative to the body. The use of the generallyflat gripping member(s) 34, even if more than one is used in a stackedconfiguration, provides a compact fitting design. The controlleddeflection of the spring also facilitates the use and design of thesefittings for thin walled conduits, as well has heavy walled conduits.

Turning now to FIG. 6, we further contemplate as one of our inventionsthe realization of a ‘smart fitting’, meaning that a fitting or assemblyfor a mechanically attached connection includes a sensing function thatmay provide information or data to an analytical function or processabout the health, properties, assembly, condition and status of theassembled fitting, one or more of the fitting parts, the fluid containedby the fitting, or any combination thereof. In the present disclosure,an embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 6 includes a sensing function thatis incorporated into or otherwise associated with the seal element 48′that is provided to form a zero clearance seal for the fitting 10. Weuse the prime (′) notation in FIG. 6 for the seal element because thebasic configuration and function of the seal element 48′ may be but neednot be the same as was used for the embodiments of FIGS. 1-5. As will bereadily apparent from the further discussion below, additional oralternative sensing functions may be introduced into the fitting 10,including many different ways to structurally introduce sensingfunctions in the fitting.

The present inventions are not limited to any particular fitting designor configuration, and also are directed to the idea of introducing intoor including with such fittings a sensing function. Due to the sometimeshighly complex and numerous uses of fittings in a fluid system, it maybe desirable to be able to sense one or more conditions, or collect dataand information, regarding the assembly, performance or health of afitting or the fluid contained by a fitting or both. With so manyfittings already in use, easily numbering in the billions, the presentinventions provide apparatus and methods for introducing sensingfunctions into an existing fitting design, an installed fitting design,or providing a sensing function as part of a new fitting or fittinginstallation, repair, retrofit or as part of a maintenance operation.With the ability to provide ubiquitous and facile installation of asensing function with a fitting, the fluid system designer may developall different types of control and monitoring systems 128 to utilize thedata and information collected or obtained right at the fitting site,including as needed on a real-time basis. The control and monitoringsystem or circuit 128 may be conveniently disposed outside the fitting,even in a remote location, and use wired or wireless communication linkswith the sensor to receive the data and information provided by thesensor. Alternatively the circuit 128 may be integrated with the fittingitself, such as on an exterior surface for example. By ‘remote’ isgenerally meant that the circuit 128 is away from the fitting, and maybe at a distance from the fitting, but the term is not intended to implynor require that it must be a great distance or even beyond line ofsight, although in some applications such longer distance communicationmay be desirable, either in a wired or wireless manner. Some sensors maybe interrogated by circuits that are handheld within a close remotelocation or range such as a foot or less for example. An RFID tag is acommon example of such a device.

A fitting with a sensing function can be considered a ‘smart fitting’,meaning that a fitting or assembly for a mechanically attachedconnection includes a sensing function that may provide information ordata to an analytical function or process about the health, properties,assembly, condition and status of one or more of the fitting components,the fluid contained by the fitting, or both. In the present disclosure,the exemplary embodiments as illustrated herein include a sensingfunction that is incorporated into or otherwise associated with acomponent or part or member of the fitting, or added to a fitting bymeans of a sensor carrier or substrate that is provided to position asensing function in the fitting to perform its designed function.

Although in the FIG. 6 embodiment the sensing function is associatedwith the seal element 48′, those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that one or more sensors and sensing functions, whetherwetted or non-wetted type sensors, may alternatively or in addition tothe seal element sensor, be associated with other fitting members suchas, for example, the drive member 36, the face seal member or gland 40,the nut 12, the body 14, the conduit gripping member 34 or even theconduit C. As an example, we show a sensor 120 c associated with theface seal member or gland 40 (FIG. 6). The seal element 48′ does providea simple and fast way to introduce a sensing function into a fitting,whether the fitting is a new assembly, an assembly already installed ina fluid system, or for retrofit, repair or maintenance. Use ofinstallable sensing functions allows a designer to provide a commonfitting design that can be made “smart” simply by introducing thesensing function into an installable component such as the seal elementfor example. For example, even after a fitting has been installed into afluid circuit, the fitting can be made smart by introducing one or moresensors into the fitting, can have one or more sensors removed, or havedifferent sensors added or removed. For example, internal sensors may beinstalled by first disassembling a tightened fitting sufficiently togain access to whatever structure is needed to install a sensor, such asfor example swapping out a sensor-less gasket for a gasket having asensor. Or perhaps the installer may decide to add an external orinternal temperature or pressure sensor when it is discovered thattemperature or pressure sensing is needed that was not known before at aparticular fitting or location in the fluid circuit. These are just afew examples of the many options made available by the inventions hereinby having fitting designs that facilitate use of sensing functions withthe fitting. Use of a sensing function in an installable part alsofacilitates postponement of final fitting configuration to the field,which allows for more efficient inventory control since an end userwould not need to stock both “smart” and regular fittings. Alternativelyor additionally, the sensing function may be incorporated into orintegrated with one or more of the various parts of the fitting.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6, the seal element 48′ may includeone or more sensors 120 that are attached to, integrated with orotherwise associated with the seal element 48′. The sensors 120 may takea wide variety of forms and functions. Each sensor 120 may be a wettedsensor 120 a meaning that a portion of the sensor is exposed to thesystem fluid passing through the fitting 10, or a non-wetted sensor 120b that is not exposed to the system fluid, or a combination thereof. Asensor may be used, for example, to sense, detect, measure, monitor orotherwise collect information or data about a property or characteristicof the mechanically attached connection, for example, general leakage,conduit bottoming, changes in stress, or vibration to name a fewexamples; one or more fitting components such as the couplingcomponents, conduit gripping member(s), seals and so on; and/or thefluid contained by the mechanically attached connection or fitting, orany combination thereof. A wetted sensor 120 a may sense, for example,pressure, temperature, galvanic effects, fluid density, refractiveindex, viscosity, optical absorbance, dielectric properties, flow rate,conductivity, pH, turbidity, thermal conductivity, moisture, gas orliquid specific properties and so on to name a few examples. Examplesfor a non-wetted sensor 120 b may include, pressure, temperature, sealintegrity, leakage, leak rate, stress and stress profiles, vibration,tube bottoming and so on.

The zero clearance fitting concept herein provides an exemplarystructure for optionally introducing a sensing function into amechanically attached connection. This allows the designer toincorporate a sensing function when needed or to omit the sensingfunction by either not connecting to the sensor or using a seal elementthat does not include a sensor in its structure. This allows a sensingfunction then to be added into a fluid system even after a non-sensorfitting has been installed, simply by replacing the seal element 48 witha seal element 48′ having the sensing function associated therewith. Byhaving a fitting design, whether zero clearance or not, that mayoptionally receive a sensing function, the end user may decide whichfittings will be smart, thus allowing postponement of final fittingconfiguration to the field. Such postponement may offer significantadvantages in terms of inventory management and design optimization forthe fluid system.

It should be noted that the locations of the sensors 120 a, 120 billustrated are exemplary and will be selected as a matter of designchoice based on what the sensor function and configuration will be.Additionally, the sensors may be embedded in the seal 48′ body orsurface mounted or otherwise attached or integrated with the seal 48′.For example, the non-wetted sensor 120 b may be recessed in a surfacesuch as with a counterbore of the seal 48′ so that it can measure stressor pressure of the conduit end CI against the seal pocket 64 to detector sense bottoming of the conduit C in the fitting.

The sensors 120 may operate in many different ways, including but notlimited to electromagnetic, acoustic-magnetic, magnetic resonance,inductive coupling including antenna, infrared, eddy current, ultrasonicand piezoelectric. The sensors 120 may communicate in a wired orwireless manner with the latter including but not limited to BLUETOOTH™,Wi-Fi, 2G, 3G, RFID, acoustic, infrared, and optical. In the FIG. 6embodiment, the sensors 120 are wired. Recesses or passages 122 may beformed in the seal 48′ through which wires or conductors or othercommunication links 124 such as optic fibers may be routed out of thefitting 10. The threaded nut and body connection may include a groove oraxial hole or other path 126 positioned below the minor diameter of thethreads to allow the communication link to be routed outside the fitting10 to electronics 128 that will process the sensor information andsignals.

The sensors 120 may be incorporated into the seal 48′ by any number ofsuitable techniques, including but not limited to adhesive, painting,embedding, sputtering, metal injection molding, casting, compression,etched, printed and so on.

There is a wide variety of sensors commercially available today that maybe used for various sensing functions. Undoubtedly, many more sensorswill be developed and commercialized during the coming years, especiallysensors that will have greater functionality, significantly smallfootprints, alternative installation and integration capabilities andcommunication functionality. The present inventions contemplate andfacilitate the use of such sensors known today or later developed, infittings as described herein.

Examples of commercially available sensors include but are not limitedto the following: Micro-miniature absolute pressure sensor model 32394available from Endevco Corporation. This is a silicon MEMS device thatcan be substrate or surface mounted with a conductive epoxy. Anotherpressure sensor or transducer is the model 105CXX series available fromPCB Piezotronics, Inc. These sensors are in very small packages or maybe re-packaged as needed for a particular application, and operate withpiezoelectric technology. Liquid flow meters such as models SLG 1430 andASL 1430 available from Sensirion AG. Miniaturized seismic transducers,motion transducers and angular rate sensors available from TronicsMicrosystems SA. Tilt and vibration sensors, angle sensors, MEMSinclinometers, MEMS vibration sensors and MEMS accelerometers modelsSQ-SENS-XXXX, SQ-SIXX, SQ-PTS, SQ-SVS and SQ-XLD respectively, availablefrom Signal Quest, Inc. Piezoelectric accelerometers model TR1BXN havingtemperature sensing capability, available from OceanaSensor, VirginiaBeach, VA. Thermal sensors models LM and STXXX (numerous variations)available from ST Microelectronics. Thermistors, IR temperature sensors,gas tube arresters and varistors available from Semitec USA Corporation.Linear displacement sensors models M, MG, S, SG and NC type DVRTsavailable from MicroStrain Inc. Proximity switches available from COMUSInternational.

The above are but a few examples of miniaturized sensors available thatmay be used with the present inventions. The present inventionsfacilitate and enable such sensor technology to be incorporated intofittings and mechanically attached connections. Reference may be made tothe manufacturer's web pages for additional product information. Whilethe basic product literature may illustrate specific packaging concepts,the sensors may be either repackaged or alternatively integrated with afitting component or member in accordance with one or more of thevarious inventions herein.

SENSOR INTEGRATION, WETTED—The sensors 120 may be embedded on the wallsurfaces of the seal element 48′. Embedding methods may include but arenot limited to resin potting, powder metal sintering, or brazing. Wettedsensors 120 a may be used to monitor fluid system pressure, temperature,and other fluid parameters. As another example, a wetted sensor may beused as a flow sensor. In the flow sensor case, small wetted flowsensors are available from Sensirion. Flow sensors may utilize tunedconduit geometry, such as, for example, including a tuned insert intothe fitting. Sensors 120 placed on the wetted surfaces of end fittingtube sockets 64 may also be used to monitor tube bottoming and extent offitting pulled-up condition. For example, a proximity sensor may be usedto detect conduit bottoming or also position of the conduit grippingdevice or devices to verify pull-up. A wetted sensor can be paired withanother sensor (not shown), a non-wetted sensor for example, tofacilitate a wireless communication from the first sensor to the othersensor. In other alternative embodiments, wireless wetted sensors may bedisposed or integrated with wetted surfaces of the various fittingcomponents, and wirelessly communicate through a wall of the component.This may avoid the need to breach the pressure containment structure ofthe fitting. But in lower pressure or benign applications, wired sensorsthat do breach the pressure containment structure may be used. Thisconcept may be applied not only to non-metal components, but also metalcomponents including but not limited to 316 stainless steel. Thecomponent material will in part determine the wireless frequency needed,along with the thickness of any wall that the wireless signal mustpenetrated to be picked up by appropriate electronic circuits thatreceive and process the wireless signals. As still another alternative,miniature microphones and accelerometers from Akustica may be used inthe fitting to detect vibration, leakage or the onset of leakage whenvariations in the acoustic signatures are detected.

SENSOR TECHNOLOGY—The sensors 120 may comprise a film that is pressuresensitive and changes color with changes in pressure. Photonics sensethe color, the indication of pressure, and an optic fiber or otherdevice may be used, for example, for sensor signal transmission to theelectronics 128. The sensors 120 may alternatively comprise a forcesensitive molecular structure which has a characteristic resonance thatis proportional with applied force. That resonance can be detected by aremote scanner for example, such as a RF wand. The sensors 120 mayalternatively comprise a dual diaphragm for detecting a spaceddifferential of a physical property (e.g. pressure differential, straindifferential, capacitance). A common detection technique may be use ofphotonics that sense both diaphragms and detects a response difference(reflection, refraction, or intensity shift) proportional to physicalproperty differentials or change in the diaphragms.

The sensors 120 may be integrated onto the wetted surfaces of thegenerally circular ring or hoop-like seal element 48′. The sensors 120may be integrated onto the seal 48′ inside diameter surfaces or onradial surfaces that when assembled in the fitting 10 will be wetted bysystem fluids. The sensor elements may be laminated, printed, attached,adhesively applied or equivalently applied or otherwise applied directlyto the seal 48′ surfaces. The seal 48′ may comprise a split-ringassembly or seal insert to enable direct printing or applying of sensorelements to the seal element inside diameter surfaces. Where axialorientation of the sensor is important, for example sensors for fluidflow, these seal inserts may be keyed to axially differentiated slots orgrooves on the seal. The seal 48′ may be keyed directionally usingcounterbores, circumferential shoulders, or the like to matchdirectionally keyed structures on the fittings, particularly face sealfittings. The sensors 120 that are integrated into the seal 48′ may behard wired connected to the electronics 128 or other sensors or both,and thus may comprise leads or equivalent to external surfaces to hardwire the sensor from outside the containment of system fluids. Suchleads form a composite with the seal such there is no compromise ofsystem fluid containment or seal integrity. Sensors integrated into theseal 48′ may comprise leads or equivalent to provide external antennafor the sensors. Here also, such leads form a composite with the sealsuch there is no compromise of system fluid containment or sealintegrity. Sensors integrated into seals, whether fully passive orpowered by built-in battery or fuel cell, may alternatively comprise noleads to external surfaces, and thus no compromise of system fluidcontainment or seal integrity.

The inventions herein include methods for mechanically connecting aconduit to another fluid member, with the methods fully set forth abovein the description of the exemplary embodiments. One such methodcomprises connecting a conduit to a fluid member by forming a conduitgripping connection and a zero clearance seal in an exemplary manner asset forth above. In another embodiment, the method may include providinga sensing function that is associated with the zero clearance seal.

The electronics 128 (FIG. 6) may be operably coupled to the sensors 120in many different ways, including wired and wireless connections.Wireless connections may include electromagnetic coupling such as byantenna, or optical coupling, acoustic and so on. The specific circuitsused in the electronics 128 will be selected and designed based on thetypes of sensors 120 being used. For example, a strain gauge may be usedfor a non-wetted sensor 120 b, and the strain gauge will exhibit achange in impedance, conductivity or other detectable characteristic orcondition. The electronics 128 may provide a current or voltage or otherenergy to the strain gauge, across a wired connection or wirelessconnection for example, so as to detect the strain gauge condition ofinterest. Similarly, the electronics 128 may interrogate or detect atemperature or pressure sensor condition, or the electronics 128 mayreceive signals transmitted from the sensor that encode or contain theinformation or data of interest produced by the sensor. These are just afew examples of the wide and extensive variety of sensors andelectronics that may be used to carry out the inventions herein.

With reference to FIG. 7, illustrated in longitudinal cross-section(only half of the overall fitting is illustrated for convenience) isanother embodiment of a fitting with an optional sensing function. Inthis embodiment, the body coupling member (by ‘body’ is meant thecoupling member that includes a socket that receives a conduit end) 200may be split into two constituent parts, a threaded main body 202 and aconduit socket insert 204. The assembled body 200 may mate with a nut(not shown) such as the nut 12 of the above described embodiments oranother nut configuration. The main body 202 may include a male threadedend 206, although non-threaded couplings may also be used as needed.

The socket insert member 204 may include an outer end having afrusto-conical camming surface 208 that engages a conduit grippingmember 210 during pull-up. The fitting 200 may use a single or pluralconduit gripping members as needed. The socket insert member 204 mayfurther include a first generally cylindrical wall 212 that along with afirst generally radial wall 214 forms a socket 216 for the conduit C endC1. The socket insert member 204 may further include a radial flange 218that presents a first face seal surface 220 which faces a second faceseal surface 222 on the main body 202. Any suitable seal arrangement maybe used, in this exemplary embodiment a sealing bead 224 may be providedto effect a face seal between the insert 204 and the main body 202 aftera complete pull-up. This seal is needed due to the split body design.

Although exaggerated for clarity in FIG. 7, a small gap 226 will bepresent between the insert 204 and the main body 202. This gap may beused to route sensor wires out of the fitting 200 as needed. Forexample, an optional leak detector sensor 228 may be provided in arecess such as a counterbore 230 to detect fluid leaking past the faceseal formed at the bead 224. Another optional sensor 232 may be providedin a recess such as a counterbore 234 in the insert member 204. This maybe a wetted sensor for example used to sense flow, temperature or othercharacteristics of the fluid. The recess 234 may alternatively be ablind bore (not shown) into the insert 204 so as to form a thin wallseparating the sensor 232 from the fluid, in order to provide anon-wetted sensor. A connecting bore 236 may be provided to route wiresfrom the sensor 232 to the outside environs, or wireless sensors mayalternatively be used.

In accordance with one aspect of this embodiment, the use of a splitbody allows a fitting designer to choose whether to incorporate asensing function into the fitting 200. An insert 204 may be used thatincludes a sensing function or an insert may be used that omits thesensing function. The split body 202 may be conveniently designed tocooperate with conventional or custom designed conduit gripping members,conduits and mating nuts or other components.

With reference to FIG. 8, a fitting 300 for a flared conduit isillustrated and includes one or optionally more sensing functions. Thefitting 300 may be conventional in design or designed for a particularapplication and performance criteria, but in general such a fitting mayinclude a body 302 having a tapered forward end 304. A nut 306cooperates with the body 302 to pull-up the fitting to a fully made upcondition as illustrated in FIG. 8. The nut 306 may also cooperate withan optional gland member 308. The gland member 308, when used, applies acompressive force to the flared conduit end CF against the taperedsurface 304 of the body to form a fluid tight seal. For fittings that donot use a gland, the nut typically will have a drive surface thatcompresses the conduit end against the tapered surface of the body.

FIG. 8 illustrates in an exemplary manner how many different types ofsensors 310 may optionally be used to incorporate various sensingfunctions into the fitting. For example, sensors 310 a and b may bedisposed in recesses or counterbores 312 a and b to detect compressivestress against the body tapered surface 304 or the gland 308. Variouswetted sensors 310 c and d may be used to check fluid properties such astemperature or other properties as needed. Other sensors 310 e, f, g andh may be used for verifying proper pull-up, vibration, and pressure suchas with strain gauge type sensors, proximity sensors and so on, as wellas to check for leaks. Again, these sensors may be wired or wireless,and integrated into the fitting in many different ways. The specificproperties of the fitting components or the fluid contained by thefitting will be determined in part by the location of the sensor.

With reference next to FIGS. 7A-7D we illustrate alternative embodimentsfor face seal configurations, which may but need not be in all casesassociated with a zero clearance fitting, having a sensing function orfunctions associated therewith. In FIG. 7A, a zero clearance fitting1200 may include a threadably coupled nut 1202 and body 1204, first andsecond glands 1206, 1208 and a seal or gasket 1210 that is sandwichedbetween facing surfaces of the glands. The glands typically are weldedor otherwise connected in a fluid tight manner to respective conduitends (not shown). Compressible seals 1212 and 1214 may be used as neededto effect fluid tight face seals. The seals 1212, 1214 may be, forexample, elastomeric o-ring seals, but any suitable seal mayalternatively be used. 0-ring type seals typically are disposed inrespective seal grooves 1216, 1218. When the nut and body are tightenedtogether, the gasket and o-rings are compressed axially to form a fluidtight mechanical connection. A typical commercially available example ofthe fitting 1200 is available from Swagelok Company, Cleveland, Ohio. Inthis embodiment, a sensing function may be provided by associating oneor more sensors 1220 with the gasket 1210. The sensors may be asdescribed herein or others. In the illustrated example, the sensor 1220is a wetted sensor disposed in a counterbore 1222 or disposed on asurface of the gasket. Non-wetted sensors may alternatively be used, andone or more wetted or non-wetted sensors may optionally be associatedwith either or both glands, the nut or the body. Non-threaded couplingsbetween the nut and body may also be used. For wired sensors, passages1224 may be provided to route the wires, or wireless sensors may beused.

FIG. 7B illustrates a conventional SAE type face seal end connection1229 in which first and second SAE ends 1230, 1232 compress a gasket1234 having sealing beads 1236, 1238. The gasket 1234 or either or bothof the SAE ends may be provided with one or more wetted or non-wettedsensors 1240, such as a surface mounted sensor for example. The sensorsmay be as described herein or others.

FIG. 7C illustrates another connection for an SAE end face seal fitting1250 that includes a different sealing arrangement for the gasket. Inthis example, a gland or end 1252 may be provided with a sealing bead1254. A gasket 1256 is sandwiched between the ends 1252, 1258 and thegasket may also include a sealing bead 1260 that seals against the SAEend 1258. The gasket 1256 may include one or more wetted or non-wettedsensors 1262, and the ends 1252, 1258 may also include one or morewetted or non-wetted sensors as described herein or others. In FIG. 7Cthe end 1252 may be, for example, a conduit gripping member.

In FIG. 7D, the SAE end face seal fitting a multi-piece gasket may beused to accommodate more sensors for example. In this example, a firstgasket 1270 and a second gasket 1272 are compressed between a first end1274 and a second end 1276. The first end for example may be a conduitgripping member and the second end may be an SAE end. The gaskets orends or both may be provided with wetted or non-wetted sensors 1278 asdescribed herein or others.

FIG. 8A illustrates a conventional and well known sanitary fitting thatuses a gasket 1280 compressed between two glands 1282, 1284 by aclamping mechanism 1285 as is well known. The two glands 1282, 1284include tapered driven surfaces that contact a circumferential clampsuch that when the clamp is tightened radially the glands are driventogether and compress the gasket between them. A commercial example of asanitary fitting suitable for use with these inventions is a T-Sealavailable from Swagelok Company, Cleveland, Ohio, however FIG. 8 hereinis not representative of the T-Seal product but rather a differentsanitary fitting design.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 8A, the gasket 1280 further includesa sensor or sensors 1286 in accordance with the inventions herein. Thesensors may be wetted or non-wetted as needed, and sensors mayoptionally be included with either or both of the glands. FIGS. 9A and9B further illustrate that conventional gaskets or rings 1290 may alsobe provided with sensors 1292 as set forth herein. The gasket 1290 maybe an additional component installed in a fitting, or may be a fittingmember that, for example, provides a sealing and/or structural functionin the fitting. The gasket 1290 may thus also be considered a sensorcarrier as it allows a sensor or sensors to be installed in a fitting.In FIG. 9A the sensor is associated with the gasket along an internaldiameter 1294 and in FIG. 9B the sensor is associated with the gasketalong an outer facing surface 1296, such as in a recess 1298. For FIGS.8, 9A and 9B the sensors may be as described herein or others. Finally,FIG. 10 illustrates one form of a conventional threaded taperconnection, such as for example an NPT threaded connection 1300 in whicha female body 1302 has a tapered threaded portion 1304 that threadablyconnects with a tapered threaded portion 1306 of a male body 1308.Sensors 1310 as described herein or others, and either wetted,non-wetted or both, may be associated with the female and male bodies asneeded.

With reference to FIG. 11, the drawing illustrates one example of manydifferent types of a fitting 2010 that may be used with one or more ofthe present inventions. In particular, FIG. 11 illustrates a flarelesscompression fitting that uses a smart fitting concept of incorporatingone or more sensors into the fitting. Such uses of sensors asillustrated in FIG. 11 may also be used with the zero clearance typefittings described herein. Such a fitting 2010 typically includes a nut2016 that may be joined with a body 2012 such as, for example, with athreaded connection 2014, 2018. One or more compression type ferrules2020, 2022 may be used to seal and hold a conduit end such as a tube orpipe end so as to form a leak tight flow path from the conduit toanother flow path, in this case through the body 2012. The fittingillustrated in the drawing is commonly referred to as a female fittingin that the body 2012 is a female threaded component that joins with themale threaded nut 2016. Alternatively, as is well known, male fittingsare commonly used that have a male threaded body and a female threadednut. Non-threaded connections may alternatively be used as well. Inaccordance with the present disclosure, one or more of the fittingcomponents including the body, nut, the ferrules and the conduit end,may be provided with one or more of electrical, electro-magnetic orelectronic capability, such as for example a sensor or element 2100,that facilitates manufacture, assembly or use of the fitting. Thecomponent 2100 may be surface mounted, embedded, etched or otherwiseassociated with a fitting component as needed for a particularapplication.

SENSOR INTEGRATION—(a) Sensors are applied to the surfaces of fittingcomponents—e.g. to the fitting body, ferrule or ferrules, nut, tubeadaptor, or tube end. Application methods for applying sensors caninclude sticking, gluing, painting, plating, or in coatings of any type.(b) Sensors are embedded in fitting components. Embedding methods caninclude resin potting, powder metal sintering, or brazing. (c) Sensorsare made concurrently integral to fitting components, as the componentsare manufactured. Such concurrent methods can include metal injectionmolding, casting, or compression and injection molding in the case ofplastic fitting components. Concurrent methods can also include sensorplacing or embedding at regular intervals on or in bar stock, such thatone or more sensors remain in each machined component. (d) Sensors maybe chipless in the sense that they are printed, etched, sputtered, orlikewise marked onto fitting components. Such marking methods caninclude application of sensor circuitry material to the component,making use of the component material substrate. Marking methods may notnecessarily use silicon applications. Marking methods can also includeuse of electrical conductor altering properties of a diffusion modifiednear surface of the component, doping elements within the componentalloy or material, or dispersed or localized second phases within thecomponent material. (e) Sensors are integrated with fitting design. Suchintegration can include access ports to aid sensor powering or dataquery, whether by electro-magnetic effects, acoustic-magnetic effects,magnetic resonance, inductive coupling, IR, eddy current, surfaceacoustic waves, or ultrasonic.

SENSOR APPLICATIONS—(a) Sensors applied to components provide componenthistory, QA/QC information, source tracing back to the manufacture ofthe raw material melt or equivalent. (b) With use of a central registry,sensors guard against and detect incidence of component intermix orcomponent counterfeiting. (c) Sensors provide data specific to thefitting—e.g. product ratings, codes and standards, material and fluidcompatibilities, and installation instructions. (d) Sensors providefeedback on the condition or success of fitting installation in a fluidsystem—e.g. ferrule order, tube bottoming, turns of the nut. Suchfeedback can be coupled with visual, color codes, vibrating, audible orvoice devices for immediate access to fitting specific data andindication of installation condition. Such feedback can also includeboth self diagnostics and suggested remedies. (e) In use, sensorsprovide indication of changes in the installation—e.g. nut turning, tubeslippage, component removal, corrosion effects, any other impendingdysfunction, as well as successful ferrule or component responseadapting to a changing fluid system. (f) In use, sensors providemeasurement of fluid system and fluid state parameters—e.g. pressure,temperature, fluid properties, fluid flow rate, or system vibration.Sensors can relate such measurements to applicable agency codes,standards, product ratings, and can warn if exceeding allowed ratings orlevels. Fluid flow methods can include IR signal processing. (g) In use,sensors detect fluid leaks and provide indications of leak rate, as wellas confirmation of successful fluid sealing. Leak and seal detectionmethods can include ultrasonic signal processing.

SENSOR TECHNOLOGY—(a) Sensor are wired or wireless. Sensors can includethe fluid system tubing in the sensor circuitry. If wired, this caninclude use of fluid system tubing for sensor powering or signaltransmission. If wireless, this can include use of the system tubing asantenna. In both cases, sensors can use the position of tubing in thefitting as part of circuitry indicating successful tube position duringand after installation. (b) Sensors are powered or passive. If powered,sensors can use batteries or miniature fuel cells. They can draw directexternal electrical power or draw power through use of electro-magneticfield effects, magnetic resonance, inductive coupling, infrared (IR),eddy current, surface acoustic waves or ultrasonic. Sensors can alsodraw power from the environment—e.g. changes in temperature, systemfluid flow, static charge build-up, system vibration, or galvaniceffects of locally dissimilar materials. If passive, sensors are poweredby incoming query from an external device. Such queries can use any ofthe above methods for the continuous powering of powered sensors. (c)Sensors use present or emerging signal processing and communicationprotocols. If wired, protocols include 4 to 20 m-amps. If wireless,protocols include WiMax, 3G or 2G cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee,Ultra Wide Band, or RFID. Protocols can also include use of mobilephones or equivalent mobile reader devices to collect data andcommunicate with a central registry. Such mobile reader devices can beintegrated into the tools used for fitting pull-up. (d) Sensors arepiezoelectric or respond similarly to mechanical deflection or strain.Applied on or in fitting components, sensors respond to fluid systemparameters—e.g. pressure, vibration, ultrasonic effects of fluidleaks—as well as extent of fitting pull-up during or after installation.

With reference to FIG. 12, another embodiment of one or more of theinventions is presented. An exemplary assembly 3010 for mechanicallyattaching or connecting a conduit end C to another fluid member isillustrated. The assembly 3010 is also referred to herein as amechanically attached connection or fitting, but the term fitting isintended to be broadly construed as any arrangement by which a conduitend may be mechanically attached or connected to another fluidcomponent. For reference purposes only, the conduit C has a centrallongitudinal axis X. Reference herein to ‘axial’ movement ordisplacement and ‘radial’ movement or displacement is made with respectto the axis X.

The assembly 3010 may include a first coupling member 3012 and a secondcoupling member 3014. The coupling members 3012, 3014 may be anysuitable arrangement by which the assembly 3010 is installed withconduit grip and seal on the conduit end C. For the FIG. 1 embodiment,the first coupling member 3012 may be realized in the form of a femalethreaded nut, and the second coupling member 3014 may be realized in theform of a male threaded body. As used herein, a coupling member in theform of a ‘body’ receives the conduit end, typically but not necessarilyin a conduit socket. A coupling member in the form of a ‘nut’ is joinedto the body to tighten or pull-up the fitting to a made condition withproper conduit grip and seal, with the nut typically including a drivesurface that engages the conduit gripping member during pull-up or mayalternatively engage a drive member that engages the gripping member.These components are ‘coupling’ in the sense that they can be joinedtogether and tightened so as to install the assembly 3010 onto theconduit end C so that the assembly 10 grips the conduit to prevent theconduit from loosening under any one or more environmental stresses suchas temperature, pressure, strain and vibration to name a few examples.The assembly 3010 also provides a seal against loss of fluid. The fluidthat is carried by the conduit C may be gas, liquid, a combinationthereof or any other fluid medium. The assembly 3010 may find typicalapplication in making connections within an overall fluid system. Afitting assembly such as the exemplary fitting 3010 works within thefluid system to help contain the fluid, and in many cases must containthe fluid under various pressure requirements, as well as temperatureand other environmental effects. It should also be noted that one orboth of the coupling members may in practice be part of or integral witha fluid component, and not necessarily a discrete component asillustrated herein. For example, the body 3014 may be integrated orassociated with a valve body, a manifold or any other fluid component towhich a conduit is to be attached.

The coupling body 3014 may itself be considered a fluid member that isconnected to the conduit end C, or may include an end configuration (notshown) that may be further connected to another part. For example, theend configuration for the body 3014 may include a male threaded end of aconventional tube fitting body, but any end connection configuration maybe used as needed to connect the conduit end C into the fluid system orto another fluid member.

Although this embodiment provides for a threaded connection 3016, 3018between the first and second coupling members 3012, 3014, threadedconnections are only one of the many available choices. Alternativesinclude but are not limited to clamped or bolted connections. The typeof connection used will be determined by the nature of the force neededto secure the assembly 3010 to the conduit end in a fluid tight manner.Generally speaking, a fitting such as illustrated in FIG. 12 may be usedfor a flareless end connection, meaning that the conduit cylindricalshape is not flared as a processing step prior to connection to anotherfluid member (although the conduit may plastically deform during theinstallation process). The conduit end does not require any particularpreparation other than perhaps the usual face and debur process for theend face C1.

The first coupling member 3012 and second coupling member 3014 mayinclude wrench flats 3020, 3022 respectively to assist in joining andtightening the assembly 3010 together during pull-up of the fitting.Relative rotation between the coupling members 3012, 3014 may be used totighten and loosen (also known in the art as “make” and “unmake”) thefitting assembly 3010 as appropriate.

The second coupling member 3014 may include a central bore 3024 having adiameter that is about the same or the same as the diameter of insidecylindrical wall 3026 of the conduit C. For most connections, althoughnot necessarily required in all cases, the bore 3024 and conduit C arealigned and assembled in a coaxial manner along the axis X.

With reference also to FIG. 13, the body type coupling member 3014 mayinclude a counterbore 3028 that with an interior generally cylindricalwall 3030 defines a tube socket 3032 into which the conduit end C isinserted as part of the assembly process (see FIG. 1). The interiorgenerally cylindrical wall 3030 may have a diameter that closelyreceives the outer diameter surface C2 of the conduit end C (FIG. 1).The interior wall 3030 is referred to herein as ‘generally’ cylindricalin that it may include a short length portion 3034 that adjoins thecounterbore 3028 that has a slight taper to it. The interior wall 3030extends axially to a frusto-conical camming surface 3036.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the fitting assembly 3010 may include oneor more conduit gripping members, such as ferrules for example, with twoferrules 3038, 3040 being illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 12. Somefitting designs only use one ferrule, others may use more than twoferrules, alternatively may use additional parts such as seals, gasketsand so on, and alternatively may use gripping rings or devices thatmight be generally known by terms other than ‘ferrule’ but provide gripand seal as a conduit gripping member. As used herein, the terms ferruleand conduit gripping member are intended to include within theirdefinition and meaning any component or combination of components thatmay grip the conduit end after pull-up, seal the fitting either alongthe conduit or elsewhere, or both. For example, in a single ferrulefitting the single ferrule both seals and grips the conduit. In theexemplary two ferrule assembly of FIG. 12, the forward or front ferrule3038 typically may be used to form a fluid tight seal against thecamming surface 3036, but may also grip the conduit in some designs andmay also in some designs seal against the conduit outer surface C2. Therearward or back ferrule 3040 typically may be used to grip the conduitC, but may also seal against the conduit or seal against the back end ofthe front ferrule 3038. Fitting designs that use ferrules or otherconduit gripping and sealing devices are well known and vary widely intheir design and ratings, such as pressure and leakage ratings. Theferrules may be provided to grip the conduit C against an outer surfaceC2 thereof. For higher pressure applications it may be desirable for theferrule or ferrules to indent, cut or bite into the conduit outersurface C so as to provide a strong gripping pressure and resistance tothe conduit C backing away under pressure and potentially compromisingfluid tight seals within the fitting 3010. However, in lower pressureapplications the conduit gripping members 3038, 3040 may be designed toadequately grip the conduit without actually indenting or cutting theconduit surface C2. In addition to providing an appropriate grippingforce on the conduit C, the gripping members 3038, 3040 may also providea primary or secondary fluid tight seal against the conduit externalsurface C2 to protect against loss of fluid from the assembly 10.Therefore, as understood herein, a conduit gripping member or ferrule isany part or combination of parts that, upon complete pull-up of thefitting, grips the conduit against pressure, vibration and otherenvironmental effects, and also provide a fluid tight seal.

From the finger-tight condition illustrated in FIG. 12, as the first andsecond coupling members 3012, 3014 are tightened together, the ferrules3038, 3040 are axially driven together and deform as designed to provideupon a completed pull-up the desired conduit grip and seal for thefitting assembly 3010 on the conduit C.

The present inventions are not limited to any particular fitting designor configuration, but rather are directed to the idea of introducinginto or including with such fittings a sensing function. Due to thesometimes highly complex and numerous uses of fittings in a fluidsystem, it may be desirable to be able to sense one or more conditions,or collect data and information, regarding the assembly, performance orhealth of a fitting or the fluid contained by a fitting or both. With somany fittings already in use, easily numbering in the billions, thepresent inventions provide apparatus and methods for introducing sensingfunctions into an existing fitting design, an installed fitting design,or providing a sensing function as part of a new fitting or fittinginstallation, repair, retrofit or as part of a maintenance operation.With the ability to provide ubiquitous and facile installation of asensing function with a fitting, the fluid system designer may developall different types of control and monitoring circuit or systems 3100 toutilize the data and information collected or obtained right at thefitting site, including as needed on a real-time basis. The control andmonitoring system or circuit 3100 may be conveniently disposed outsidethe fitting, even in a remote location, and use wired 3102 or wirelesscommunication 3104 links with the sensor (3050 described herein below)to receive the data and information provided by the sensor.Alternatively, part or all of the circuit 3100 may be integrated withthe fitting, for example, to provide a visual indication that thefitting is performing properly. In this sense, a fitting with a sensingfunction can be considered a ‘smart fitting’, meaning that a fitting orassembly for a mechanically attached connection includes a sensingfunction that may provide information or data to an analytical functionor process about the health, properties, assembly, condition and statusof one or more of the fitting components, the fluid contained by thefitting, or both. In the present disclosure, the exemplary embodimentsas illustrated herein include a sensing function that is incorporatedinto or otherwise associated with a component or part or member of thefitting, or added to a fitting by means of a sensor carrier or substratethat is provided to position a sensing function in the fitting toperform its designed function.

Smart fittings comprise fitting components with integrated sensors.Fittings include mechanically attached couplings that connect conduitends both with and without additional preparation of the conduit ends.Conduit includes both tube and pipe. Fitting pull-up includesinstallation or attachment to conduit ends both by hand and with machineassist. Installed fittings include those in installations for containingsystem fluids both pressurized and partial vacuum.

Smart fitting applications include, as examples:

(1) Installed Fitting Health—Sensors in the fitting components measureconduit and component loads and relative positions as measures of bothinitially sufficient and sustained-in-use installed fitting pull-up.Sensor types include micro-strain, proximity, vibration/acceleration,ultrasonic and cycle count.(2) Installed Fitting Seal Integrity—Sensors in the components ofinstalled fittings measure incidents of seal leakage of system fluids.Sensor types include ultrasonic and chemical detectors.(3) System Fluid Measurement—Sensors in the components of installedfittings measure the characteristics of system fluids. Sensor typesinclude temperature, pressure, flow, density, refractive index,viscosity, optical absorbance, dielectric characteristic, conductivity,pH, turbidity, thermal conductivity, moisture and chemical specie.(4) Integrated Sensors—Sensors attach to fitting components by methodsincluding direct printing or fabrication on the component surface, ongaskets or inserts that assemble into and between fitting components.(5) Sensor Communication—Sensors are wireless and passive, both wettedand non-wetted by system fluids. Wetted sensors communicate through thesystem fluid containing walls of the fitting components without antennaor wires that breach the fluid containing walls. Wetted sensors alsohave known chemical compatibility, duty cycle and failure mode.(6) Traceability—Sensors (e.g. RFID) in the fitting components providefitting and component characteristics including identity, serializationand code compliance.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 12, a sensing function or functionsmay be executed by one or more sensors 3050 associated with the fitting3010. A small sensor bore 3052 may be provided in the body 3014, forexample, such as through a neck portion 3054 that tends to be somewhatsmaller in diameter and wall thickness than the body end 3056. Thesensor 3050 in this example is a non-wetted sensor, so that the bore3052 does not penetrate through the neck 3054 but rather may extend intothe neck such that a thin wall section 3058 of thickness W separates thebore 3052 from the flow path through the body central bore 3024. Theshape and size of the sensor bore 3052 may be selected so as to notweaken the neck 3054 adversely to the overall performance requirementsof the particular fitting design. The sensor 3050 may be disposedanywhere within the sensor bore 3052, and in particular may bepositioned down in the bore against the wall 3058. A wire 3060 may berouted through the bore 3052 from the sensor 3050 to the wiredconnection 3102 for the control circuit 3100, or alternatively the wire3060 may function as an antenna for a wireless link 3104 to the circuit3100 or a different wireless communication link may be used as needed.As on example, the sensor 3050 may be a temperature sensor or may alsobe an acoustic sensor for fluid flow through the central bore 3024. Manydifferent sensor designs and functions may be used as needed.

With reference to FIG. 14, because the bore 3052 may be fairly small,more than one sensor and sensor bore 3050 a, b and c and 3052 a, b and cmay be provided around the neck 3054 for additional sensing functions.Although the numeral 3050 is used as a general reference to the sensorsherein, this is not intended to imply that the same sensor or sensingfunction is used for all the sensors, but rather just to illustratedifferent positions and functionality facilitated by the inventionsherein. Thus, multiple sensors may be used with the same sensingfunction or many different sensors and sensing functions may be used asneeded. In FIG. 14 we illustrate three sensors, but more or less thanthree may be used. Also in FIG. 14 the sensors 3050 a, b and c areillustrated as evenly spaced about the circumference of the neck 3054but such is not required. Each bore 3052 a, b and c may terminate at athin wall 3058 a, b and c respectively.

The location of the bore 3052 is a matter of design choice based on thesensing function or functions desired for a particular fitting orfitting application. With reference to FIG. 13, a bore 3062 may beprovided that terminates at a thin wall 3064 at the tapered portion 3034of the tube socket 3032. A sensor 3050 d may be used for example todetect proper conduit bottoming and/or deformation/strain of the conduitend Cl after a completed pull-up operation of the fitting 3010. A sensor3050 d may also be used that detects system fluid pressure. Othersensing functions may be used as needed.

FIG. 13 further illustrates optionally providing a bore 3066 through theend 3056 of the body 3014 to position a sensor 3050 e. The bore 3066terminates at a thin wall portion 3068. Again, the bore 3066 may besufficiently small to avoid weakening the body 3014, and additionalbores may be provided as needed. FIG. 13 further illustrates optionallyproviding a bore 3070 that facilitates positioning two sensors 3050 fand 3050 g respectively at thin wall sections 3072 and 3074. Thesesensors may be used for example to detect conduit bottoming, extent ofproper pull-up, system pressure, temperature and so on. The bore 3070may be formed anywhere in the body 3014 wherein it is desired toposition sensors. A sensor (not shown) may also be disposed in a recessin the conduit end Cl that faces the counterbore 3028. Such a sensor mayalso be used to detect proper bottoming, pull-up or many other sensingfunctions as needed.

In all the exemplary embodiments herein, the sensors 3050 may be wired,wireless or a combination there of, and my be wetted or non-wetted asthe case may be. Other interrogation techniques may include, forexample, use of a wand that when passed in the vicinity of the sensorwould detect its output or condition.

As other examples, in FIG. 13 we illustrated an optional wetted sensor3050 h that may be disposed in a recess 3076 formed in the body innercylindrical portion 3030. Another optional sensor 3050 i (see FIGS. 12and 13) may be positioned in a recess 3078 formed in a shoulder 3080 ofthe neck 3054. This sensor 3050 i may be, for example, a proximitysensor used to detect that the nut 3012 advances sufficiently duringpull-up to indicate that a proper pull-up has occurred, and which insome designs may further may indicate that the various fittingcomponents were properly installed. Alternatively or in addition to thesensor 3050 i, a sensor 3050 j may be disposed in a recess 3082 formedin a facing surface 3084 of the nut 3012. This sensor may be, forexample, a proximity sensor to verify pull-up.

As another example, a sensor 3050 k (FIG. 12) may be disposed in arecess 3086 formed in the neck 3054. Such a sensor may be a proximitysensor for example to detect proper position of the nut 3012 afterpull-up. Still further, a wetted sensor 3050 l may be provided in arecess 3088 formed in the central bore 3024 (see FIG. 13) of the body3014. As another example, a wetted sensor 3050 m may be provided in arecess 3090 formed in the nut 3012. This sensor 3050 m may be used, forexample, to detect system fluid leaks or position of one or bothferrules 3038, 3040.

In addition to the use of temperature sensors and so on, in the exampleof the sensor 3050 k, one or more such sensors may be a strain gauge,such as for example a MEMS strain gauge available from American SensorTechnology, N.J. The strain gauge may be used to detect strain changesin the body 3014 or nut 3012 during pull-up so as to provide anindication to the operator that a proper pull-up has occurred. Forexample, a ring or other plurality of such strain gauges 3050 k may beintegrated with the body neck 3054 to report on strain changes duringpull-up. In such an alternative embodiment it will be desirable that theconduit end C1 extend axially deeper than is illustrated in FIG. 12, forexample so as to extend up to or past the sensors 3050 k (not shown).Another option would be to use a ring of such sensors to measure ordetect hoop stress, which would correlate to system pressure, forexample, or proper pull-up forces as another example. Such strain gaugestypically function as changes in resistance in response to strain, andsuch resistance changes may be detected by the circuit 3100. Changes instress as detected by the sensor or sensors may then be correlated toforce loads required to create the micro-stresses. In this manner thecircuit 3100 may be used to determine that sufficient pull-up force hasbeen applied or detect over or under torque conditions. After a fittinghas been placed into service, the strain gauges may be use to detectchanges in stress related to high pressure, temperature, vibration andso on as part of a fitting health verification. As in all the examplesherein, the sensor 3050 k may be active (generating its own power andoutput) or passive (being interrogated and powered externally), wired orwireless. For this example, the strain gauges 3050 k may be integratedwith the body 3014 or nut 3012 in ways other than the use of recesses.The strain gauges may be disposed on the surface of the neck 3054, forexample, or printed thereon, molded therein and so on to name just a fewexamples.

The sensors 3050 need not be directly attached or installed on thefitting 3010 coupling members. For example, a wetted sensor 3050 may bedisposed on or integrated with a sensor carrier or substrate. A sensorcarrier may be realized in the form of an annular ring-like member suchas a gasket, for example.

A wetted sensor may be used to detect or sense properties of the fluid,such as for example, flow rate, turbulence (such as with an acousticsensor), temperature, pressure and so on as will be further elaboratedon below. Alternatively, a sensor may be wetted although its function orone of its functions is directed to sensing a condition of a fittingcomponent rather than of the fluid. For example, a sensor 3050 may be aproximity sensor or strain gauge or other sensor used to detectbottoming of the conduit end C1 in the tube socket 3032, or to detectchanges in condition of the fitting such as vibration, loosening and soon. In another alternative, a sensor may be positioned on the conduitend C2 prior to installing the conduit end into the fitting 3010, or onthe counterbore 3028 surface. Sensors 3050, for example an acousticsensor, may further be used to detect vibration in the conduit C oracoustic signatures of fluid flow through the fitting 3010 or that ofleakage from fitting 3010 or nearby seals.

The sensors 3050 may be attached to, integrated with or otherwiseassociated with the fitting coupling members. The sensors 3050 may takea wide variety of forms and functions. Each sensor 3050 may be a wettedsensor meaning that a portion of the sensor is exposed to the systemfluid passing through and contained by the fitting 3010, or a non-wettedsensor that is not exposed to the system fluid, or a combinationthereof. A sensor 3050 may be used, for example, to sense, detect,measure, monitor or otherwise collect information or data about aproperty or characteristic of one or more fitting components or thefluid. A wetted sensor may sense, for example, pressure, temperature,galvanic effects, fluid density, refractive index, viscosity, opticalabsorbance, dielectric properties, flow rate, conductivity, pH,turbidity, thermal conductivity, moisture, gas or liquid specificproperties and so on to name a few examples. Examples for a non-wettedsensor may include, pressure, temperature, seal integrity, leakage, leakrate, stress and stress profiles, vibration, tube bottoming and so on.

The sensors 3050 may individually operate in many different ways,including but not limited to electromagnetic, optical,acoustic-magnetic, magnetic resonance, inductive coupling includingantenna, infrared, eddy current, ultrasonic and piezoelectric. Thesensors 3050 may communicate in a wired or wireless manner with thelatter including but not limited to BLUETOOTH™, Wi-Fi, 2G, 3G, RFID,acoustic, infrared, and optical. Due to the location of the carrier 3052in FIG. 12, in this embodiment most likely the sensor 3050 wouldcommunicate in a wireless manner. However, alternatively appropriategrooves and notches may be provided so that a wired sensor may be used,with the wires being routed outside the fitting 3010 through therecesses, including recesses in the threads 3016, 3018. Still as anotheralternative, wires may be routed to another location in the fitting 3010for wireless communication, or a wireless link may be used between thesensor 3050 and another device associated with the fitting that in turnis wired to the circuit 3100.

The circuit 3100 may be any conventional circuit or custom circuit asthe case may be to process the signals from the one or more sensors3050, and thus will be determined by the type of sensor and the type ofoutput signal the sensor provides. Such circuits are well known and wellassociated with sensors that are presently available commercially, asset forth herein below.

The sensors 3050 may be of a design and function as described hereinabove, or other sensors may be used as required for a particularapplication.

With reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, besides introducing sensing functionsinto the fitting components such as a body, nut or conduit grippingdevices, the sensors or sensing functions need not be directly attached,installed or integrated with the fitting components. One or more sensingfunctions may be introduced into a fitting by the use of an additionalor modified component for the fitting or both. For example, a wettedsensor 4050 may be disposed on or integrated with a sensor carrier orsubstrate 4052. In this embodiment the sensor carrier 4052 may berealized in the form of an annular ring-like member such as a gasket,for example. The specific configuration, shape, material, location,orientation and position of the carrier 4052 relative to the fitting, aswell as the sensor 4050 on the carrier 4052, will be determined based onthe function or functions to be carried out by the sensor 4050, as wellas the selected communication link between the sensor 4050 and aninterrogating or information collecting circuit 4100. As an example, thesensor 4050 in FIG. 15 will be a wetted sensor, meaning that at least aportion of the sensor 4050 is exposed to the fluid contained by thefitting 4010, for example, the fluid flowing through the bore 4024. Thecarrier 4052 may be positioned in the tube socket 4032 area, such as upagainst the counterbore 4028. The conduit end C1 then may bottom againstthe carrier 4052, and either be in contact with the sensor 4050 or notin contact with the sensor 4050 as the case may need to be. Note that inthe embodiment of FIG. 6 for example, the gasket 48′ also serves as asubstrate or carrier for the sensors 120 a, 120 b.

The location of the sensor 4050 may be selected as needed. For example,in FIG. 16 we illustrate that a groove or recess 4054 may be formed inthe interior cylindrical wall 4030, into which a sensor carrier such asa split ring may be snapped in, or a recess or groove 4056 may beprovided in the central bore 4024. Alternatively, a groove 4058 may beprovided as needed in the first coupling member 4012 (FIG. 15) toreceive a sensor carrier. Such a sensor position may be used, forexample, to detect vibration in the conduit C, or alternatively forleakage of fluid past the ferrules, to name just two examples. In somecases it may further be possible to include the sensor 4050 or sensorcarrier with one of the ferrules, particularly the front ferrule thatmay not exhibit as much plastic deformation during pull-up as the backferrule. However, a sensor mounted on the back ferrule may be used toconfirm that a desired deformation did occur during a proper pull-up.

The use of a sensor carrier or substrate 4052 to position a sensor 4050within the fitting 4010 allows for easy installation and adaptation of afitting with a sensing function, even for fittings that are alreadyinstalled or of established design. This allows the designer toincorporate a sensing function when needed or to omit the sensingfunction by either not connecting to the sensor or simply not installingthe sensor and sensor carrier. This allows a sensing function then to beadded into a fluid system even after a non-sensing fitting has beeninstalled, simply by installing the carrier 4052 having a desiredsensing function associated therewith.

The one or more sensors 4050 may be incorporated into or associated withthe carrier 4052 by any number of suitable techniques, including but notlimited to adhesive, painting, embedding, sputtering, metal injectionmolding, casting, compression, etched, printed and so on.

The sensors 4050 may be integrated onto the wetted surfaces of thegenerally circular ring or hoop-like carrier 4052. The sensors 4050 maybe integrated onto the inside diameter surfaces or on radial surfacesthat when assembled in the fitting 4010 will be wetted by system fluids.The sensor elements may be laminated, printed, attached, adhesivelyapplied or equivalently applied or otherwise applied directly to theselected surfaces. The sensor carrier may comprise a split-ring assemblyor seal insert to enable direct printing or applying of sensor elementsto the sensor carrier inside diameter surfaces. Where axial orientationof the sensor is important, for example sensors for fluid flow, thesensor carrier may be keyed to axially differentiated slots or grooves.The sensor carrier may be keyed directionally using counterbores,circumferential shoulders, or the like to match directionally keyedstructures on the fittings, particularly face seal fittings. The sensors4050 that are integrated into the fitting 4010 may be hard wiredconnected to the electronics 4100 or other sensors or both, and thus maycomprise leads or equivalent to external surfaces to hard wire thesensor from outside the containment of system fluids. Such leads mayform a composite with the carrier such there is no compromise of systemfluid containment or seal integrity. Sensors integrated into the carriermay comprise leads or equivalent to provide external antenna for thesensors. Here also, such leads form a composite with the carrier suchthere is no compromise of system fluid containment or integrity. Sensorsintegrated into carriers, whether fully passive or powered by built-inbattery or fuel cell, may alternatively comprise no leads to externalsurfaces, and thus no compromise of system fluid containment or sealintegrity.

The electronics 4100 (FIG. 15) may be operably coupled to the sensors4050 in many different ways, including wired and wireless connections.Wireless connections may include electromagnetic coupling such as byantenna, or optical coupling, acoustic and so on. The specific circuitsused in the electronics 4100 will be selected and designed based on thetypes of sensors 4050 being used. For example, a strain gauge may beused for a non-wetted sensor, and the strain gauge will exhibit a changein impedance, conductivity or other detectable characteristic orcondition. The electronics 4100 may provide a current or voltage orother energy to the strain gauge, across a wired connection or wirelessconnection for example, so as to detect the strain gauge condition ofinterest. Similarly, the electronics 4100 may interrogate or detect atemperature or pressure sensor condition, or the electronics 4100 mayreceive signals transmitted from the sensor that encode or contain theinformation or data of interest produced by the sensor. These are just afew examples of the wide and extensive variety of sensors andelectronics that may be used to carry out the inventions herein.

The inventive aspects have been described with reference to theexemplary embodiments. Modification and alterations will occur to othersupon a reading and understanding of this specification. It is intendedto include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they comewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

1-14. (canceled)
 15. A fitting for a fluid conduit having a longitudinalaxis to make a mechanically attached flareless end connection therewith,comprising: a first coupling member and a second coupling member thatare joined together along an axis when the fitting is pulled-up, a frontferrule and a back ferrule that are axially driven together by saidfirst coupling member and said second coupling member to provide conduitgrip and seal after the fitting is pulled-up, said first coupling membercomprising a threaded nut and said second coupling member comprising athreaded body, and a strain sensor that is attached to said threadednut.
 16. The fitting of claim 15 wherein said strain sensor ispositioned on said threaded nut to detect leakage of fluid that is to becontained in the conduit by the fitting.
 17. The fitting of claim 15wherein said strain sensor is disposed in a recess provided in a surfaceof said threaded nut.
 18. The fitting of claim 15 wherein said strainsensor is disposed on a sensor carrier.
 19. The fitting of claim 15wherein said strain sensor is disposed on a sensor carrier that ispositioned in a recess provided in a surface of said threaded nut. 20.The fitting of claim 15 wherein said strain sensor is a proximity sensorthat is attached to a surface of said threaded nut, said surface of saidthreaded nut being a facing surface that faces a shoulder of saidthreaded body.